2018 Easter Newsletter

YOUR KINDNESS IS LIFE-CHANGING

“I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.” – John – 12:46

A new year is underway and, at The Ottawa Mission and The Ottawa Mission Foundation, we now begin to look towards Easter. In doing so, we are reminded every day that homelessness, hunger and suffering have no timelines.

Our work here continues, regardless of the weather or the time of year – although, of course, winter is especially challenging for so many of the people we serve.

As the staff and volunteers at The Mission go about their important work, we are also reminded, in all that we do, that we are changing lives for the better. We see it in the faces of people who are hungry and have just had a good meal, people who are cold and receive a new winter coat, people who have reached a special milestone in their journey towards sobriety, people who have moved out of the shelter to a place of their own, and people who were unemployed and have now found a job.

As you read the stories in this newsletter, you will see your generosity at work in many angible ways – we simply could not do what we do without your support.

On behalf of those who have shared their stories with us – Joel, Thuraya, Jeff, and Cory – and the many others who will continue to benefit from the vital programs that you help fund – we say thank you and God bless!

A welder by trade, Joel turned to The Ottawa Mission because he was unemployed, couldn’t find a job, and had nowhere to live. He has since been working with our client services team who are helping him develop a good resume and navigate job opportunities, and his search is well underway.

Thuraya and her family made the move to Ottawa from Jordan just over a year ago in search of a better life. Her first priority was to find a job, but she ran into the same roadblock experienced by many people – the difficulty of finding work without Canadian experience.

Ottawa-born Jeff is friendly, gracious, and has some interesting stories to share about his life. In his younger days, he spent time on the stage in Toronto – appearing in such productions as “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat” and “Godspell”.

Paul is a gentle person whose love of God, and his fellow human beings, shines through in all that he does. He is certified as both a Pastoral Care Worker and a Palliative Care Worker and we, at The Ottawa Mission, are benefitting from his expertise in both areas.

Cory was just 15 years old when he began his long struggle with addiction. He’s 36 now, and after many attempts at rehab over the years, he finally feels like he has turned the corner thanks to The Ottawa Mission.